Leaving from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on January 5, a group of 560 competitors began the 42nd annual Dakar Rally: a 12-day, 4,660-mile (7,500-kilometer) off-roading adventure held entirely in Saudi Arabia this year. The race used to be held in Africa, until 2008, when unrest in Mauritania forced organizers to move to South America, where it was hosted until this year. The vehicles—which include specialized cars, trucks, motorcycles, and quad bikes—are currently on stage 10 of 12 stages that lead to Qiddiya, in Riyadh, on January 17. Here is a look at Dakar 2020 in progress, as teams race to the finish line.
Photos From the 2020 Dakar Rally
- Alan Taylor
- January 15, 2020
- 28 Photos
- In Focus
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Mini's Argentine drivers Orlando Terranova and Bernardo Grue compete during stage 3 of the Dakar 2020 around Neom, Saudi Arabia, on January 7, 2020. #
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Bikes are lined up ahead of the Dakar Rally in North Corniche, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on January 4, 2020. #
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Red Bull KTM Factory team rider Matthias Walkner of Austria powers his KTM motorbike during stage 1, between Jeddah and Al Wajh, Saudi Arabia, on January 5, 2020. #
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The RD Limited team's car driven by France's Romain Dumas and Alexandre Winocq is seen on fire during stage 1, on January 5, 2020. #
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The RD Limited team's car burns in the desert during stage 1, on January 5, 2020. #
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A trail of dust from a race car is seen during stage 2, between Al Wajh and Neom, Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2020. #
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The SRT Racing car driven by Jean Remy Bergounhe and Jean Brucy, photographed during stage 2 #
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Monster Energy Honda Team 2020's Kevin Benavides of Argentina rides his Honda CRF 450 Rally motorbike between Al Wajh and Neom, Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2020. #
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Mechanics clear a vehicle during stage 3, on January 7, 2020. #
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Borgward's Spanish drivers Nani Roma and Daniel Oliveras Carreras compete during stage 3 of the Dakar 2020, near Neom, Saudi Arabia, on January 7, 2020. #
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An overview of the Dakar Rally bivouac in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia, on January 8, 2020 #
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Kamaz's Russian drivers Andrey Karginov, Andrey Mokeev, and Igor Lenonov compete during stage 6, between Ha'il and Riyadh, on January 10, 2020. #
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French biker Bruno Bony reacts after falling during stage 6. #
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A biker rides through the desert during stage 6. #
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Botswana's motorbike rider Ross Branch drives his KTM as he competes in stage 7, between Riyadh and Wadi Al Dawasir, Saudi Arabia, on January 12, 2020. #
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Mini's Spanish drivers Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz drive during stage 7. #
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Australia's rider Toby Price drives his KTM between Riyadh and Wadi Al Dawasir on January 12, 2020. #
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Driver Denis Berezovskiy, of Kazakhstan, and co-driver Adrian Torlaschi, of Argentina, race their Can-Am during stage 8 in Wadi Al Dawasir on January 13, 2020. #
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Agrorodeo's drivers Vaidotas Žala and Saulius Jurgelėnas compete in stage 8 on January 13, 2020. #
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People repair a car in the bivouac at the end of the Dakar 2020 stage 8 on January 13, 2020. #
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Mini's Spanish driver Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz fly off a dune near Wadi Al Dawasir on January 13, 2020. #
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Argentinia's Kevin Benavides looks on during stage 9 of the Dakar 2020, between Wadi Al Dawasir and Haradh, Saudi Arabia, on January 14, 2020. #
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Competitors ride during stage 9 on January 14, 2020. #
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Toyota's driver Ronan Chabot passes through a valley during stage 9, between Wadi Al Dawasir and Haradh, Saudi Arabia, on January 14, 2020. #
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Co-driver Michael Orr, of Great Britain, after crashing his Toyota during stage 9, on January 14, 2020. #
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Jose Ignacio Cornejo Florimo of Chile rides his Honda motorbike during stage 9 on January 14, 2020. #
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An overview of the landscape during stage 9 of the 2020 Dakar Rally, between Wadi Al Dawasir and Haradh, on January 14, 2020 #
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Toyota's driver Ronan Chabot passes a herd of camels during stage 9 of the Dakar 2020, on January 14, 2020. #
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